​Calling for a fair and reasonable review of the Swimming Pool Regulations for Apartment Complexes and Resorts

The current regulations governing swimming pools in Cyprus are outdated and in serious need of reform. We call on the Minister of Interior Mr Constantinos Petrides to initiate a fair and reasonable review of the regulations and suspend any ongoing legal action against communal pools for not having a public swimming pool licence until the end of this review.

If you agree that the current swimming pool regulations which still require lifeguards on the smallest buildings communal pools (costing an estimated 18,000-30,000 per year) are disproportionate, please help by signing this petition.Please read more information about this issue below.

​​THE PROBLEM

Current regulations require a public swimming pool to hold a Public Pool Licence. To obtain this licence they need to ensure that certain safety requirements have been met, including specific construction requirements, facilities, a certified lifeguard on duty and qualified pool maintenance supervisor. The clear majority would agree that this is reasonable and, in the publics best interests.

However, under the current regulations, a swimming pool shared by a few apartments or houses such as a communal pool is also considered a public pool and as such must have a public swimming pool licence. To obtain this licence the communal pool needs to conform to the same requirements and regulations as a Olympic municipal pool, such as a full time lifeguard.

Regulations are intended to protect the public using reasonable and balanced measures. However, requiring a small pool shared by a couple of houses to hire a full-time lifeguard which can cost around (€18,000-€30,000 per year) is not reasonable or balanced.

There are not enough qualified lifeguards in all of Cyprus to meet the needs of one small town let alone every apartment complex pool on the island.

Additionally, many apartment buildings and complexes have been built and issued with completion certificates despite not meeting the construction requirements needed to get a public swimming pool licence. Effectively now placing the burden on the property owners who find when attempting to apply for the licence their property requires tens of thousands of euros of alterations and construction to conform to the licence requirements.

The European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) approved a new standard for members states which would effectively resolve this issue by the reclassification of communal swimming pools allowing different and proportional requirements for communal swimming pools. However the adoption of this standard is voluntary and until they are adopted, that member states local regulations remain in effect.

THE RISKS

​With the exception to a few disproportionate requirements, the current swimming pool regulations are effective and increase the safety of pool users significantly. Unfortunately, there is a serious lack of public information on the legal requirements for a communal swimming pool and general confusion regarding what regulations apply.

The vast majority of communal swimming pools in Cyprus are unable to obtain a swimming pool licence due to issues with the original construction of the buildings and/or legal requirements which are impractical and unsuitable for small communal swimming pools.

Property owners who wish to follow the regulations and operate their swimming pool safely do not have sufficient support to do so, and fear contacting their local authority due to the fact they do not wish to alert the authorities to their unlicensed swimming pool.

This effectively increases the risks to users, as pools are operated completely outside the regulations due to a few disproportionate and unachievable requirements.

In addition to adding further concerns by existing Cyprus property owners, facing either legal action against them, significant costs in conforming to licence requirements (a reminder a Full-time lifeguard can cost 18,000 – 32,000 a year), or to simply drain and board up a swimming pool significantly reducing the enjoyment, rental/sale value of their properties.

All of this will create additional bad publicity on an island which is only just starting to recover from the financial and property crisis.

​THE STATUS QUO

​Historically the issue with unlicensed communal swimming pools has been allowed by local municipalities with a general understanding that until the regulations are updated these pools operate in a grey area.

However recent news reports and social media posts advise that some municipalities are now actively inspecting communal pools and initiating legal proceedings against these buildings for operating without the swimming pool licence.

This has spread a panic among property owners in Cyprus.

​OUR REQUEST

​​Due to this I am calling all property owners in Cyprus to speak up and call for an immediate review of the swimming pool regulations, and temporary suspension of any legal activity by a municipality for a communal swimming pool operating without a licence until the outcome of this review.

I also ask Mr Constantinos Petrides the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus and local municipalities to meet with me and other industry authorities to discuss and assist him in performing a fair and balanced review of this situation.

If you agree that the current swimming pool regulations which still require lifeguards on the smallest buildings communal pools (costing an estimated 18,000-30,000 per year) are disproportionate, please help by signing this petition.

There are three common ways a committee will calculate each unit’s Communal Fees: But only one way is the legally accepted way.

​Looking for ​more?

​If you are a member of your management committee, (or are looking to set one up) you will know that while the communal property regulations are comprehensive, they are sometimes a little difficult to understand and even once understood its not always easy to apply these generic regulations to your individual building with its specific challenges.

To help with this problem​ my most recent book the Ultimate Committee handbook ​gives you detailed and step by step instructions on every aspect of being on your committee and running your building. It explains the communal property ​law in simple terms including real world examples and instructions ​on how to best apply these regulations.

To get more information on this book, and view a book preview you can click the below link.

Russell Flick

International Property Professional, Public Speaker & Author of 'The Ultimate Committee Handbook'.
In addition to his published books, Russell is a public speaker, columnist and founder of www.CyprusCommunalGuide.com, the online information portal for property owners to get support and advice on all aspects of communal property ownership and management.
Russell is currently in the process of publishing his second book (expected to be released in 2018) the 'Step-by-Step Guide to Owning Investment Property'. While the first book is aimed as a support resource for committees, giving step by step instructions on the management and administration of their buildings. This second book is is a practical guide to assist property owners and investors with information and procedures in acquiring, maintaining and maximizing their property investments.